France
Willis secures twelve month extention in Gras Savoye deal
Willis Group has extended the exercise date of its call option to acquire full ownership of French insurance broker Gras Savoye by one year.
IMDII: Full disclosure
The second Insurance Mediation Directive could fundamentally change the way European brokers conduct their business. But will it be kicked into the long grass? Edmund Tirbutt investigates.
Market losses support improvements to flood and windstorm database
Catastrophe insurance data provider Perils has updated the property sums insured exposed to UK flood as part of an update to its Europe Industry Exposure Database.
CCR net profit surges despite €55m Thai flood loss
State owned French reinsurer CCR posted net profit of €242.3m for 2012, up from €119.4m 2011.
AM Best withdraws ratings of Allianz France and subsidiaries
AM Best has affirmed the financial strength rating of A+ (Superior) and issuer credit rating of "AA-" of Allianz IARD and Allianz Vie, the main subsidiaries of Allianz France SA, and the ICR of "A-" for Allianz France SA.
GWP for mobile goods will be worth $14.6bn by 2016
The global market for extended warranties and insurance for mobile goods is expected to surge 46.3% from $10bn to $14.6bn by 2016.
Top five European news stories
The top five European stories from www.insuranceinsight.com over the past seven days.
Groupama SA upgraded by Fitch
Fitch Ratings has upgraded Groupama SA and its core subsidiaries' insurer financial strength ratings to 'BBB-' from 'BB+'.
IUMI calls for greater access to inspection data
The International Union of Marine Insurance has written to the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control to call for an increase in the level of inspection data available to underwriters.
Miller raids rivals to grow French reinsurance team
Miller has hired three senior reinsurance brokers in a bid to increase its foothold in the French market.
French insurers paid an extra €9bn in taxes in the last three years
French insurers have seen a steep increase in the amount of tax they pay in the last three years and the trend looks set to continue.
Coface premiums up 3.1% after strong Apac and Latam growth
Credit insurer Coface posted a 6.6% rise in net profit (excluding restructuring costs) to €129m in the first full year results since its re-brand.
French fiscal policy "likely to be unfavourable" for insurers
The French government could raid insurance coffers over the next twelve months as it looks to reduce the public deficit, Moody's has warned.
Data Protection: Regulation frustration
A pan-European data protection regulation may enhance transparency and accountability, but could inadvertently hamper insurance activities, harming companies and policyholders.
Motor repairs: In need of repair
A recent investigation by Channel 4’s Dispatches slammed the motor insurance industry for its approach to repairs. Can the sector come back from the criticism?
Generali bolstered by P&C growth in Germany and CEE countires
Generali has reported an increase in premiums to € 70bn (+3.2%) with a 3.3% growth in property & casualty to €22.8bn.
Argo's head of aerospace to become underwriting director
Lloyd’s insurer Argo International has promoted Bruno Ritchie, pictured, to underwriting director.
Winter Sports: A downhill market?
With the Winter Olympics only a year away, winter sports are seeing a boost in popularity. Anna Pitton investigates how the insurance market is responding and asks where claims are likely to occur.
Coface restructure brings European branches under control of French regulator
French credit insurer Coface said today it had simplified and streamlined its European credit insurance activities in preparation for incoming Solvency II regulations.
Law report: Rome II regulation on expert evidence
This law report was contributed by law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
French consumers least likely to go online for insurance purchases
Online comparison sites are the fastest growing distribution channel for motor and household insurance in Europe, according to Finaccord.
France lags European neighbours for aggregator use and online sales
Aggregators are the fastest-growing distribution channel for motor and household insurance in Europe while online purchases have grown rapidly across the continent, according to research from Finaccord.
Vandalised Louvre painting uninsured
The vandalised French painting Liberty Leading the People, was uninsured according to art market sources.
Europe View From the Top: Risk engineering when growing abroad
Higher costs of living, lower real wages and reduced access to credit has had a direct impact on the profitability of UK companies. This combined with the Eurozone crisis has taken its toll on UK export growth and investment.